Circular latch-needle knitting-machine.



. W. H CARTER.

CIRCULAR LATCH NEEDLE KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION man FEB. I. 1915.

Patented July 3, 1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET l- Invenibr:

H; Cari/er.

W. H. CARTER.

CIRCULAR LATCH NEEDLE KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLWATION mm ru. 1. 19:6.

' Patented July 3, 1917.

5 SHEETS SHEET 2- Inventor.- D mllziamfii flarien W. H. CARTER.

CiHCULAH LAYCH NEEDLE KNITTING MACHINE. nm'ucmou mm ns. I} 1915.

Patented July 3, 1917.

5 SHEETS--SHEET 3- -I 712110 nlo r C'q/rzi? r,

W H. CARTER.

CIRGULAR LATCH NEEDLE KNITTING MACHINE.

A F'PLICATIUH FILED FEB. 1, I915- v 1,231 5566. Patented J 1115' 3, 1917.

5 SHEEIS SHEET 4-- "EMMANV I a f PATENT OFFICE.-

or manner men'rs. mAssAcnUsE'r'rs, nss renonnzn nsim Assmmmnm rro cum co., or nnmmnu HEIGHTS, nnssAo'Imsmioofl u'nox on'nassncnosn'rrs. I

' wanuoznmmrmne Patented Juiy a, 19171.- Q

' ii a g'iuii ii're, nu; 069,741. Divided and this application filedjbbnhrf 1,=

\ aullwlgm'nitmaycorwcm: v F; "5 Be it known that I, Wnm'nu H. Gnu-e3 j'citi l eu ofthe United States, and a resident ofNeedham Heights, in the-county of Norand State of Massachusetts, lntvefiinvfentedan Improvementin Circular Latch- Needle Knitting-Machines, otwhich the folf'lowing description, in connection with 'the accompanying drawings, is' a specification,

no like ch on the drawings representing {This inyentionrelates .to circular latch needle-hitting machines In order that the principle ofthe inven- 1 tion may gbe readily understood, I shall dis- -r'-'close one embodiment of my inventionand one'form of. fabric produced upon the machine ofmyinventionz; 1 Thislapplication is a, division of my co- "ding application Serial No. 6695M, ledJammryfilQlQ. l i

In 'the drawings:

a o Figupegalis a plan View f the c linder". hce'oi; a one and one rih knitted fabric jiijlmade in accordanceiwith my invention and the "mechanism .herein disclosed and tivel' :(aptual sizefof the cylinder anddial needles preferably employed.- by me in the practice of my inventiong a Figs. ;5and.6 are similar views representisa-id" needles enlarged three times;

7 and 8 are plan views, of: the

v 9 and 10 are diagrammatic illustratipns iibgicating the manner-in which the 40. mm i'sJai upon the dial needles; Fig. {11 is awcrtical sectional View taken through a portion of the cylinder and dial ofa knitting machine embodying my invention and employed in the production of the Jl said fabric;

upper portion of then dial and a portion-ofthe cyhiid I thread feed and also showin go'the- Ways 5051,

evident that the fabric may 'bejf'altnro i fabric. The fabric herein disclosed 'isyery highly elastic; it may be readily'stretch stant-ly to its original'size. Inordertolcon.

Fig, list- 1mins View of the dial n ce;

shown'in Figs. 3 and 4 respectiye1y;

- amp jam-m in. 15,532.

r Fig. 1,5 is a detail showin iii-elevation i e'slmqe i ae thedial. Fig. 16 isa plan view of a-.'

the dial needles; and

, 610: Fig. 17 is afront elevation oi'tliatf'portionz of thecylinder and'of that: of-the dial shown in Fig. 16,

.InFlgS. 3 and 5, the closeness i the cylinder needles are somewhat exagger -ils ated in size, and in- Fig. 9, the cheeks braid. needles are exaggerated'in r sin pus pose of contrast.

The fabric made by the mechanism disclosed: and claimed is a." highly; elastic, machine. made, rib stitch fabric' shownas-aone and one rib fabricgv-itone, or a three an'doneyor other suitable and when released' springsback strnct the said fabric, I makethe upon-both= faces of the same size I- form is v loops of an exceedingly small s zeythat I form as many loops as possible in a 'given rics physically contact when" the fabric normalor'unexpanded condition. cm In a smooth yarn, preferably silk, 1122;; 2 may'employ wool, cotton or mercel ton; I so construct the. fabric that. the'loo'ps at both faces have open throats when-"said loops are contracted; I so. ric that upon both facesoth'e and round with the described openthroat". I employ the largest numbers 9i: latch needles, so that-their loops are er as nearas possible both laterally and, ongl tudinallyof the fabricy'and the construction of the machine and needles is such that-the. yarnpertaining to each loop is always served by it, the needles of the dial and cyl inder being so relatively proportioned and the machine bein so eonstructedthatithe loops upon both faces areof the samesize, both when initially formed and. thereafter;

'In otlier. words, I the dial needles-ot-n lower needlesthe yarn is primarily posisize diiferent from that of the cylinder '-;-'needle's; as'r'egards the height of theircheeks equalize the loops.

producing this needles of'a' different size from the cyhnder immediate not compelled after laying theyarn to fabric,' I employ dial needles. hereinafter set forth, but both of I these'sets-of needles differ. from those heretofor'e employed. In addition to this, I so construct the mach'in'e' as regards certain features thereof that I may not only insure the fabric havingthe smallest possible loops as described, but also loops of equal .size

upon bothvfaces and laid with the same I needle strains -As I shall hereinafter more c I jder and dial are so constructedas to revent set forth, the cams both of the cy1in I undue stretching of the yarn or rob 'ing of the needles,,and theneedle cylinder walls are .so' constrf'uctedjas to permit the use of the described. numberof needles effectively, the

' needle verge being such as to revent the .undue' drawin I needles when t upon theyarn yv the dial e latter are retracted toform their] loops,

characteristics of rib fabric formed upon a .string'beard' needle machine, wherein the exam 1e 11 the well-known Gooper'type of by the mechanism herein disclosed.

" In fa ,spring beard needle machine of the Cooper or} similar type, the needles are ar- -'.ranged two-circles, .the lower correspond- .in ,to'the cylinder needlesof a;latch Inac l1me -and being vertically positioned, and 1 the u per circle ofneedles being nearly ver- Ipmay clearly and fully set forthr iny invention, I shall-firstdescribe the 'tioned in the extreme upper end of the'hooks ;o eyes of the "needles and when, the beards 'and'lliooks so that when the yarn is laid I thereef are pressed to let ofi the loops iprel'y secure a fabric wherein the j loops upon both faces are equal in size, and' directly laga'instthe said loopsinside the beards, which are too high in the eyes of the needles, and moreover, the loops in the eyes of the needles behind-the beards are not yet fully tightened. In the needles of a the upper circle, however, when the yarn has been put undertheir beards in the di viding of the loops,-it is thus placedthere in a condition of maximum or extreme ten-"- s1o'11-,-and moreover it. is not 1n the extreme ends of the-hooks-or'eyes of the needles, but

nearer .the free ends of the needle beards,

so that when the beards are pressed, there I is danger. that the beards will cut the loopsalready inside the beards'and directly un der the'pointswhere the beards are pressed close to the needles.

Therefore the upper needles-of the Cooper machine arejmade larger than the lower needles thereof in or,

der to avoid suchcutting of the yarniand to' permit the yarn'to move properly under ,the'needle beards. -The -outside of the'fab 1 I ric made by such machine is formed bythe needles of the upper circle, andvthe' .wales upenthe'saidouter-face when carefully ex- I amlned, as for example under: a .m1c'roscope,

are found to be in contact whenfthefabric is contracted,-that is, in normalconditiony v m.

On the opposite or inside face of the fabric f made by.-.the lower or cylinder needles the" wales are not together. The reasonlforthis conditionis that the larger or upper needles make larger, loops, v v and therefore these wider wales contract by,

"andhence. wider wales, I

1P5 the en'lar ement of their loops sufliciently-tjow bring-s id wales into contact" beforefthe waleson the other face of the. fabric are perni itted to contact, the result'bein'g thatthc said wales upon the lower needle or cylintidal: ut inverted and generally correspondingito the, dial needles ofa latch machine.

of th .yarn are first laid onto the lower and laidfonto the upper needles;- thatis to -s"ay; the yarnis first laid in its entirety upon fast a; series of the lowerneedles and then from between these needles. the yarn is drawn and "placed upon the corresponding upper nee dles. Usually eight or nine of the lower needles get, their loops before, the correspo'nding'; upper needles receive theirs.-

Therefore, the yarn as laid upon the lower needles is at first slack, and whenita'isdnvided and put on the upper needles it is therebytightened;- and the effect of this is 'jupop; the lower needles. When laid on the to 'tightemthe'yam or loops previously laid der side of-the fabric never come together actually into contact. j- I r Theoontraction of a knitted fabric which has been expanded by hand ing-to the automatic enlargementroilthe in divid'ual loops-.andthe finer these loops are or wear isowwhen made t e greater their tendency .to

expand or enlarge. knitted. loop has less. tendency to expand than a fine, tightly knittedloo Whena loop expands, it-draws upont e maigrial of the yarn lying-between adjacent 100 s of I I that, face in thesame COIUISIEL'. It is the automatictaking up of a portion of this straight I lying yarn intervemng between adjacentloops in the. same course that brings the loops in adjacent wales on 'gether or closer together.

In the fabric of the ordinary latch needledial machine the dial loops are larger than A large" or loosely.

the same face to- I the dial needleslhau the cylinder loops, and hence the wales of the dial loops contact before those of the a cylinder needles can with the result. that-the adjacent. \rah-s made by the cylinder needles 5 never come into contact. Customarily the cylinder needles are larger than the dial needles; that. is to say, hey are provided with larger hooks, but the loops formed upon the cylinder needles are invariably smaller than th se formed upon the dial needles. This is due to the manner of forn'v ing the loops upon the two sets of needles. In laying the yarn into the needles of the, nnuahine, it is laid directly into the eyes or 5 hooks of the cylinder needles which are pro- 'ected and rertical, and thus the yarn is net- -:lt such times strctchei'l across lhechceks of the cylinder needles.

the dial needles, however, the yarn is laid directly mcr the checks of the. said din-l needles, it passi1ig-.:llmut the checks of the .said dial needles into the upper extremity of the books of the cylinder needles. The cylinder nccdlcswhcn projected to get their next loops let. the hint. laid loops slip down from their cheeks, but this does not. result; in giving more yarn to the saidfiu-mer laid loops of" the cylinderneedles, but merely stretches the yarn. in the. case of the. dial needles, n'ioreorer, thereon, and which I latches, hold or wedge tlulatches ofithc dial needles up somewhat, thereh compelv linglnure yurnto be'givcn to the dmlnmalles. for the new loops as the yarn is laid thereon. In other winds, the dial needles tend constantly to rob the cylinder needles of a portion of their Htllt. '$:iltll:li; more! yarn isactually consumed in forming the loops of in forming the loops of the cylindcr needles. 'lfhe result, therefore, is that the loops ol. the. dial needles are the larger, and it. is these-dial loops which come into contact in the t-ontraue'tion of the fabric after mpnnsion and assist in preventing the cylinder loops from similarly contacting.

Thus in both the spring needle machine and in the dinl latch machine the upper 1oo|)s-,--tliat is, the loops made by the upper circle of needlcs,-are the larger but. for difiereut reasons, Ftll'ldl ll'lt'lfil'tt m the said dial latch machines the dial loops are also .enlargcd because as the dial loops are being cast oil, the new dial loops are thereby forced along the checks from all of: the latches to ward and into the hooks= so as [urther to stretch or enlarge the new loops. The new dial loops can and do take yarn notonly from the cylinder needles, as pl'tfl'lflllrly stated, but also from the dial loops oF the immediately preceding course just before such preceding dial loops are cast. off. In thc'maehine wherein my fabric isproduced, on the contrary; when the. fabric is in its 6 normal or non-distended condition, the ad- 'the adjacent loops in the In laying the yarn in "part of their-yarn by the the precmling loops laid are now back of the jacent. wales upon the two faces of the fabric respectively. are in actual physical contact. The loops of the wales: made by the dial needles a-re'so small that by the time said dial loops have expanded sufliciently to come into contact, the wales upon the other face of the fabric have also come into physical contact. The loops upon-both faces of the fabric expand and take up n sufiicient amount of the straight lying yarn between adjacent wales in the same course to bring same course on the same face into contact. In other words upon each face the loops and the length oi the yarn between adjacent loops in the same course are so proportioned as to eileot. the bringing toget tor of adjacent loops in the same course on each face of the fabric.

As already stated, in rib fabrics heretofore knit-ted upon dial machines, the adja-. cent. 'nlcs upon the cylinder face ,of the fabric do not contact, when the fabric is in normal condition. lfhis is because of the fact that in formation the cylinder loops have been pulled very tight and robbed of at preventing subsequent expansion of the c l indcr loops equally with the dial loops cannot be robbed after they are knit. to e. ualize the loops upon the two faces, because i no throats of the cylinder loops are so small that no yarn from the adjacent dialloops-ran enter into and enlarge the cylinder loi.ps..-.-.o as to cause adjacent loops. upon the (:j'lllltlt'll' faec'actunlly to contact.

' In the fabric produced by my machine, on the contrary. upon both faces thereof the loops in adjacent. wales inthe, same course are in physical contact in the normal condition. of the fabric. ture of my fabric exists because the loops are of the saunsize. upon both faces of the fabric and are laid and preserved with; even strain. Such characteristic feature also denotes that. the loops upon both faces expand evenly and to the same extent: after the fabric has hee stretched and that upon both fat-cs of the tabric, the loops expand, alter stretching of the fabric, to the same extent. ll cre non the. loo s upon the two faces of the fabric of eoua size, then when the loops expand, upon release of'thefnbr'u: alter stretching, the loops of ad'acent wales upon one face would contact efore and' prevent; contact of the corresponding loops. upon the opposite face. F urtherinoro, because the contact of adj uceut lopps upon one lace prevents the contact of adjacent loops upon the opposite face, the com )lete contraction of the fabric. into-the siina lest possible lateral dimension is prevented.

- In order to produce my fabric I employ as many hitch needles nspos'siblc both in the cylinder and in the dial, prcfe rahly employiu eighteen needles to t ic inch in each dial-needles, thus dial loops. 'lh'e This characteristic fea- :mfitfi- Not only are the man reduced in amid s ms Him m:- flms: nmihby the uyhnd medic- This alaligugfiun. of the sizes of h dial and imiar imp; permits the mntrnmiim, of tin; min-i after cxpn-nsion until usljncqnt Wales limp-3i; each other upon each fuea'of (he .falutirr. If it be attunted Lu um 10 ifiglitueu needles in the inc in bath tiie cylinder and in the i'liul but. usin thn ordinary type of medic mum-1y n-dm.

'i'thitklf1l':$z the lugs will fluently be 'lwokm win-J- mun mi ur sir-n mid sumdentiy In be cash n'li I u oflmr words, him auunlllonpu mule lw mild linnnnr nag-Mm,

which are umumiiiia as: to chain and lwolra fulflmr Hum rnquimci by this mluclsion. in thlohnuss o! the m nd! an: so small: that Sk clwekh nmi hlmba "-lri tin.- lunpi: in emstin" them nli. Mumowr if the machine.

nmdlu-to the inch in both cflinder and dial but with unnwlified cheeks and lmflils saveus callul'. for by the mfiuuion in the thick new of the needles, the loops of the lubricwan-hi in law than Him formed by the needles unpiuyui by me;

'In knitting in fabric tin; cylinder loops are mathsu ti t and mail that thu rlml media: mu: .nm. rob this cylinder neallus ntilL-duntialiy of yarn.- Tllet'ufom the diall pa mm not be uila. thrmigl: rohhi: Hm cflindoc nmcliaa fithe dwell: 11:5 limb. of the al moi-Res are so mlntirel-gi small thntthu dinl lnups can not be mrlmw when drum arm? the needle chenlrs.

I so eoimtrucr. flm dial projecting-rams that. the yarn imjnst laid luck of the pi'rots nf the latches at m. din! needles, the loo "F the cylinder needles,- being laid in t e lumki thumlf i1: pmvimlsly. The needle; ur huth the cwi'md'iuan! the dial um ind-ivichznily pmfccted ab tiara goint when:

cur.- "IL 3mm taken laid the 0| a media of t a dill or a lhnt nut n sin?! infln hir r-1h the cylinder him; the yum In six nit (hi.- lump at the same time, it being evident, u heminnflnr Bet Iurlh thatin the machine herein d imloaad than: ua'nu aimultunnmzs or substantially simultaneous ending of! of ilk). of the din-l and cylinder inf yarn. mnse'qumr. n nn Iem'lin u n-lie ur ling a main. Thifl indcpundeml. pmdudimr of the u-mlkq amid-s the straw]:- mg of [In yam UI' 11w ufiuuf u. lal'giar mount. the yarn in Wm nr- Inn-umilk-s :1! tin: din m of the uylimlur iumitutu-uualy. Aim;- m h 41 of the dial h":- rai'cun the yum am} was: 011' operated sumi'ullv with eighteen the loop thq needi: is

nllly retracted, thus prevent-mg the me 'a {170m jumping so" that the-closed throats resist the expansion of the fabric more than do those: upon the lia] fucc. Tim upgn throat. of tha loops "pun bath flux-.5 i: rlue in part to the Lightneie of the lnnp. which, an prev'icusly stated, it: n rmlnd slam-L kmp, and also in part. buthe apringineflsl of the yarn.

11w yam prafurubb' emplovod by me is :1 mm qr-ltntinn mganzine a but it db hirer] I may use wool, mm'im. out-ton qr mun-grim! mum or fish; The mm ornblg um togred is 0150 ammth H1115 pm milling the loops to ulip readily upqu uch nflwr. Wrmlm 31111 is run 11, but because uf iraq'lmlinherent. elasticity, I have tod'umrl cxcnll'ant rasuEts therewith, pa rucn- ]nriy vrlxen empioying u;- vL-ry "fine woolm mm.

I am inure that. itfims hnntofom hum pm rusod tn farm a rib fabric umi u dial nee: 1e much-inn and after I: hops hanbwigfnmed uimutlm cylinder media: in in r trltl fl 'cvlimlur mmdllea by pmvi mg}: a an aplcnumm cam, wiih tin: object, a mlllllilliiu the tnilsion uf the loops u mn the a posite mm: at the-fabric and tn equalize the a: of the loops. In much methcd (if amen-durehomwmg 11m loops of the cylinder uuct les aria nut. primarily formed of the ultimntn sin, but. we :lfler initial formalion reduced in aim. Hummer in such: lm'timfl of upmtian, mush cylinder neadlg, :1a in, is :lrnwn drm'n tlm around time, tcnds m amt (1mm rub the ILGEjIlzGQHt cylinder um-lice, an that there is not mgulnrity in the nine of Hm infirm nf the piinl and njlimlzr Muslim; FmLlk-ruwua it. it. impmaiblc in this Illalllbcr tn fifll'lu. Cain-ii: l-nn'in vcrg glam tight loops. In m-wrillmre with rm m'u-ntimi. however. lim xuwillca of ti]; cjE- ill- 1M "mi flint am. so pmpnl-limmsil with reapu-L m l'llCi! 'utlier that Lllc Iuu x umiu by liudin! "mm-Hon when inilinil farmed, we I the same aim as than:- at the cj l'iunlal' rwml iosn This is due rant on]? to 81w )1 pnrtinning of (he hm sat: a "Medina with iuqmut, to each other but. to the laying of ilu' tin-var] upon [he dial. handles. 11!. substantially liw point indicated, Hunt is, just. in the war at thu pivuta of the hitches, us well n: m (in! manner of pmiorting: the media-of liau um n .iwai-vo Hm yarn and other ini-luring fvniumi monfully mfclrcd to lwn-rinnflu.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, I have in Figs 1 and 2 indicated the front and back faces of a one and one rib [fabric produced by the mechanism herein The vertical rows or loops upon the frontface of the fabric are designated 1,

a 2,3 and 4,'etc., and those upon the back face are ated 1, 2', 3, 4;, etc. The fabric is indicated in its normal unexpanded condition, and it will be noted that the loops in "the vertical row 1 physically contact with 1 {them intherow 2, which latter also physi- I contact with the loops in the row 3,

etc. In other words, throughout the fabric 5 the loops in' adjacent vertical rows are in contact u 11 both faces of the fabric. It will be served that the loopsupon both faces are relatively short and are substanfltially round and that upon both faces they' 6 have open throats 3--3 permitting the g eater expansion of the fabric, inasmuch as a e yarn of the two members of each loop do not fi'ictionally engage each other when "drawn upon in opposite directions. Owing 1 to the small size of the needles the loops are of small size and preferably elghteen to theinchu n each face of the fabric. Moreover, the liibps are tight as contrasted with a large slack loop.

In Figs. 3 to 8 I have represented the needles constituting a. feature of my invention', and in Figs. 9 and 10, I have indicated y the manner in which the yarn is laid upon I reduc' a... di aI. "40 making the needles. Preferably I make the needles so narrow that I may utilize eighteen to the .inchbothin'the cylinder and in the dial. Instead, however, of merely proportiol'iatcly the size of the cheeks and hooks of needles, as would be required in needles of an eighteen inch gage, I still further reduce the of the cheeks and hooks of the said dial needles as to height as approximately indicated in the several fig urcs so that the yarn is not stretched when ,5 drawn over the said cheeks and hooks, and

although the loops are very small and tight, they are therefore not subjected to excessive or breaking strain in casting 01f. I have found it unnecessary to make the described 50 further reduction in the size of the cheeks .and the hooks of the cylinder needles, as the tendency of the dial needles is to rob the cylinder needles. Such robbing does not, however, take place, because of the relative construction and proportion of parts, as herein set forth, and because of the fineness and tightness of the loops. Therefore, the loops of both sets of needles as initially formed, are the same in size and are initially o formed with the same needle strain. I I In Figs. 4 and 6, wherein I have indicated the. dial needles at l, the hooks are indicated at 5, thecheeks at 6 and the latches at 7.

Vhile ,I run not to be limited to the dimenea sions given, I may state that the hooks of the 'andto that "on dial needles are preferably .04 of an inch in height and the cheeks thereof are .035- of an inch in height, the books of the c linder needles being .045 of an'inch in eight. Each ofthe needles is .018 of an inch in thickness or cross section. .In Figs. 3 undo, I have indicated the cylinder needle at 8 as having hooks 9 and checks 10 preferably of the proportions indicated. The latches of the cylinder needles are, however, shorter than would be normally provided for an eighteen inch ga needle, because if-tho latches be not s ortenech. they would be slightly later in closing and would therefore strike the adjacent dial needles because of the exceedingly narrow needle walls. In

3 and 4, I have indicated the c 'linder an dial needles, and sofar as possib e have shown them of actual size, whereas in Figs. 5 and 6, I have indicated them as enlarged three times.

In Figs. 5;} an?1 10, I havef llldlciltfld diagrammatica y t e manner 0 sup the yarn to the dial and cylinder nelid lis In 1g. 9, the dial needle is indicated at 11, its hook at 12 and its latch at 13. The adjacent c linder needle is re resented at 14. its hoo at 15 and its late at 16. It will be observed that the yarn is laid at 17 in the hook of the cylinder needle at a point yery slightly in the rear of the pivot of the latch 13, the yarn of the preceding loo is at 18 lyin at this time under the late 13 of "the der'needle has been omitted; the yarn at 17 as v is indicated as positioned very slightly in" the rear of the latch 13. Moreover the construction of the dial needles is such that 1 the latches thereof lie substantially flat when open, substantially as indicated in Fig. 9 so as not to stretch the newly laid loops. Viewin Fig. 9 and also Figs. 11, 10 and'17, it will be evident that the loops are not simultaneously nor substantially simultaneously formed, and are not simultaneousl nor substantially simultaneously cast 0 from the dial needle and cylinder needle. Owing in part to the very fine gage of needles employed, referably 18 to the inch in the cylinder an 18 to the inch in the dial, I have discovered that the yarn will in evitably be broken if it be attempted to draw upon needles of the cylinder and dial simultaneously or substantially so, and that a commercially acceptable fabric cannot be formed.

l lo

In Figs. 11 to 17, I have represented the necessary arts of themechamsm for making the fa ric. Beferrin first to'Fig. 11, the needle cylinderis in icated at 19 and the dial needle plate at 20. Preferably I ro tate the needle 0 linder and dial needle plate secure the needle -cyhnder to the ring, 21 by bolts 22 and provide said ring with bevel or other teeth 23, with which mesh the teeth of a bevel gear 24 upon the drive shaft 25, which is driven in any suitable manner. The ring 21 is supported by the bed plate 26 of the machine 1n the customary manner. The walls 27 of the needle cylinder shown also in Figs. 16 and 17 are closer together than heretofore'in order to accommodate the intended number of c lin- .der needles 18 to the inch substantial y as indicated in Fig. 15. Furthermore the said walls 27 are reduced in thickness by preferably a thirty'second of an inch, so as to permit the use of the stated number of needles to 'the inch, the needle walls being preferably one thirty-second of an inch in thickness Upon the bed plate 26 I mount the-cam cylinder 29 which therefore is stationary and is adapted to project and retract the needles in the rotation of the needle cylinder. The

cam cylinder 29 is provided with a cam Figs. 13 and 17. I provide one or more track 30, a portion of which is shown in stitch cams 31 correspondin in number to the yarn feeds, one of whic 'ieeds, of any suitable character, is indicated at 31 in Figs. 16 and 17, as secured to the dial, and I provide each stitch cam 31 with a sharp oint 32 where the cam faces 33, 34 meet,

in order that but a single needle at a time a may be retracted to the extremeextent, such "drawing upon the needles and castin point of extreme retraction being, as is evident from a comparison of Figs. 11 and 13, and as clearly indicated in Figs. 16 and 17, circumferentially removed from the near est point of extreme retraction of the dial needles to such an extent that there is no simultaneous or substantially simultaneoufis of the ops therefrom. The point 0 extreme retraction of the cylinder needles is indicated at 32, and the point of extreme re- .traction of the dial needles is indicated at 42; the radial line drawn'from such point 32 is indicated at 32 in Figs. 16 and 17, and

the radial line drawn from such" oint 42 is indicated at 42 in Figs. 16 and 1 In this manner I avoid undue straining or stretching or drawing out of the yarn which resu ts. when two or three needles are simultaneously retracted to the maximum extent. If several needles were drawn down together, the parts being otherwise pro ortioned and constructed as herein descri ed, in the attempt to make small, tight loops,

the yarn would be stretched to such an extent as to break.

In order to drive the dial needle plate. 20, Ibprov de the needle cylinder 19 with a suit a .0 number oflugs 35 preferably four in 'hnumber and arranged ninety degrees apart about the cylinder. These lugs contact with lugs or, rollers '36 mounted upon levers '37 pivoted nt 88 upon the under iace of the dial clearly indicated in and havin their 0 osite ends spring ressed as i iidicated a539, so as to hold the ugs or rollers 36 in engagement with the lugs 35, but permitting slight yleldmg, so as not to injure the fa ric passmg therebetween. For the same reason, I preferably form the lugs or rollers 36 of suitable nonmetallic material, such, for example, as hard fiber, and if desired may form the lu 35 of,

similar material and lnsert them into or otherwise secure them to the needle cylinder- 19. Ihave found that the use of metalhc drivin lug's injures the fabric In igs. 14 and 16, I have indicated one section of the cams of the dial cam cap 40. These cams correspondin number to the feeds 31' of the machineand the stitch cams of the cam cylinder and lay be of any suitable construct on with the exception of the cast off cam 41 which, as indicated at 42, is provided with a sharp point at the meeting of the cam faces 43,44, in order that, as set forth with respect to thestit'ch cam 31, only a single needle will be retracted at e same instant of time by each cast 05 cam, and as previousl pointed out, and as igs. 16 and 17, such point of extreme retraction is suficiently cirpoint'of extreme retraction ofthe cylinder needles, to prevent simultaneous or substancylinder needle and simultaneous or substantlally simultaneous casting off of the loops therefrom. The needles travel in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 14 and after. each needle. has been retracted to the maximum 'cumferentially removed from the nearest."

v many simultaneous drawing upon a dial and extent at the point 42, it is gradually projected again by the face 44 of the cam' which is gradually sloped as indicated in order to prevent the jum forward of the needle with the consequent rawin'g of an undue amount of yarn and the robbing of adjacent dial needles. Moreover each of thejcad'. oil cams 41 is provided upon its face 43 with an enlargement or swell 45, the purpose of which is so to position the, dial needles that the yarn is laid just back of thepivots of the latches as previously described particularly with respect to Fi 9 and;10.'

In order to re uce the amount of yarn. that is drawn by the dial needles and to insure that the loops of the dial needles are of the same size as those'of-the cylinder needles, 1 reduce the amount of the verge, substantially as indicated in Fig. 11, by about one-sixteenth of an inch, the verge being.

the fabric as initially formed are .of e

size and are small and tight, and w formed they are at all times subject to the same needle strain upon both faces .of the fabric. This initial equalization of the size of the loops upon both faces and the equalization of strain of said loops is due to the coordination of the several features that I have hereinbefore set forth, That is to say,

I effect the described result because the needles of the cylinder and dial'are so proportioned with respect to each other that the loops made by the dial needles when initially formed are of the same size as those of the cylinder needles; because the yarn for' the dial needles is laid as described with to the latches thereof; because each of the needles of the cylinder and dial is individually projected to take yarn; because the l needle verge is such as to prevent thedraw- I scriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of. the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims: a 1. In a latch needle knittin machine, two

opposed sets of latch need es, the parts whereof are so relatively proportioned that the loops when initially formed thereby are of the same sizeuponboth sets of needles,

means to supply yarn to both sets of needles,

cams to retract to their extreme points the needles of both sets non-simultaneously and cast off the loops from the needles of said .vo sets non-simultaneously, and instrumenj talities cotiperating with and includin said 1 needles and said cams to form allthe oops of both sets of needles of substantially uniform size, to maintain the-said loops under substantially uniform tension and to pre--' serve substantially unimpaired breach of said loopsthe amount of yarn initially apportioned thereto.

2. In a latch needle knitting machine, two

0 posed sets of latch needles, the parts w iereof are so relatively proportioned that the loops when initially formed thereby are of the same size upon both sets ofneedles,

means to supply yarn to both sets of needles,

and cams to retract to their extreme points the needles of both sets nonsimultaneously' i and to cast off the loops from the needles of said two non-simultaneously, whereby a Q v all the loops of both sets of needles are formed of substantially uniform size, are

maintained under substantially uniform tension and the amount of yarn initially ap portioned to each loop is preserved substantially unimpaired therein. a v r 3. 'In alatch. needle knitting machine, two

preserve substantially unim tired of excessive yarn bythe dial needles, 4

.thereto.

opposed sets of latch needles, the parts whereof are so relatively proportioned that the loops when initially formed thereby are of the same size upon both sets of needles, means to su ply yarn to both sets of needles, and means or drawing and casting'ofi loops atthe needles, and including means to re tract to their extreme points the needles of both sets non-simultaneously and to .castofl the, loops from the needles of said; two sets non-simultaneously, said needles-fend enum:

erated means ooiiperatin to form all the loops of both sets of need es of substantially,

. uniform size, to maintain the said loops 'under substantially uniform tension and to in each of said 100 s the amount 0 yarn initially apportion thereto.

4. In a latch needle knit opposed sets of 'latchn es, the parts machine, We

whereof are so relatively proportioned that the loops. when initially formed thereby are of the same size uponboth setsof needles,-

supporting means for both sets ofneedles, means to supply yarn to both sets of needles and cams to retract to their extreme points the needles of both sets non-simultaneously and to cast ofi the loops from the needles of both sets nonsimultaneousIy, said needles, the supporting means therefor andsaid cams cooperatnr to efiect the formation of all the loops of th sets of needles of substaiitially uniform size, to efiectthe maintenance of said loops under substantially uniform tension and to preserve substantially unim aired in each of) said loops the amount 0 yarn initially apportioned 5, In a latch needle knittin machine, two

opposed sets of latch nee es, the parts whereof am so relatively proportioned that the loops when initially formed. thereby are of the same size upon both sets of needles,

means to supply yarn to both sets of needles,

and means coiiperating with said needles to form all the loops upon both faces of the fabric of an ultimate size equaling the initial size llhereofisaid means actin to retract totheir extreme oints theneed es of'said two sets non-simu taneously and to cast oil the loops from the needles of said two sets non-simultaneously, whereby when the fabric is in normal condition the loops of adja cent wales in the same courseupon eachfate of the fabric arein substantially physical contact. I v

6. In a latch needle knitting'ma'chhie of a type having two opposed sets; of latch needles, cotiperating. instrumentalities: :in-

eluding said two opposed sets of needles, the cheeks and books of one of said sets of needles being less' in height than the cheeks and hooks of normal needlesof the gage of said one set, saidcooperating instruinentalitiesfurtherincluding means to re tract singly to a maximum extent the needles of both sets, said instrumentalities co-acting to effect the formationyof all the loops of both sets of needles of substantially unlform thereto.

size to maintain 'said loops under substantially uniform tension and to preserve substantially unimpaired in each of said loops the amount ofyarn, initially apportioned 7. In a-latchneedle knitting machine, two

1: opposed sets of latch needles, the parts m t are so-relatively proportioned that i fthe loops when initially formed thereby are of the same size upon both sets of needles,

paired in each of the loops the amount of means to supply yarn to both sets of needles, 1 meanstoretract to theirextreme points the needlesid two setsnon-simultaneously st off the loops from the needles of and to said two sets non-simultaneously, and means.

005 crating with and, including said needles and said cams to effect the maintenance of all the locpsunder' substantially. uniform tension and to preserve substantiallyjnnimyarn initially apportioned thereto, whereby when the fa ric is in normal condition the loops of-adjacent wales in the same course upon each face of the fabric'are in substarv A tially physical contact.

8.. In a latchneedle knitting machine two opposed sets of latch needles, the parts- I whereof are-so relatively proportioned that the loops when initially formed thereby are of the same size upon both sets of needles, means to supply yarn to both sets of needles, means to retract singly to a maximum ex tent the needles of both sets, and to retract the needles of said two sets non-simultasubstantially unimpaired in each of. said neously and to cast ofl the loops from the needles of said two sets non-simultaneously,

said enumerated elements cooperating in ac- :Yiion to efi'ect the formation of all the loops of both sets of needles of substantially uniform size, to maintain said loops under sub-- stantially uniform tension and to preserve loops the amount of yarn initially apporit bned thereto,

r f 9. A latch needle knitting machine having o.

two opposed sets of latch needles, the cheeks ,,'and hooks ofthe set 'of needles to which yarn-is last fed bein less in height than the cheeks and. hooks 0 normal needles of the gage of said one set, means to supply yarn to the needles, and means to retract the needles of said two sets and to cast ofi the loops from the needles of said two sets, said enumerated elements cooperating toeifect the formation of all the loops of both sets of needles of substantially uniform size, to

maintain said loops under substantially uni- 1 form tension and to; preserve substantially unimpaired in each of said loops the ,amount of yarn initially ap ortioned thereto;

10. A latch need e knitting machine havsetsnon-simultaneously, whereby said enuing two 0 posed sets of latch needles, the cheeks an books of the set of needles to .which the yarn is last fed being less in height than the cheeks and hooks of normal needles of the gage-of said one set, means to supply yarn to all the needles, and meansto retract to their extreme points the needles of said two sets non-simultaneously and to cast off loops from the needles of said two sets non-simultaneousl said enumerated elements co-acting to e eat the formation of all the loops of .both sets of needles of substantially uniform size, to maintain said loops under substantially uniform tension and to preserve substantially unimpaired in each of said loops the amount of yarn initially apportioned thereto.

11. A latch needle, circular, dial knittin machine having a 'set of cylinder needles and aset of dial needles, the parts of said cylinder and dial needles being so relatively proportioned that loops of the dial needles when initially formed are of the same size as those of the cylinder needles, means to supply yarn to: all'the needles, and operating means for said needles acting to retract to their extreme points the needles of said sets nonsimultaneously and to cast off the loops from the needles of said two sets non-simultaneously, said enumerated elements cofiperating to form all the loops of both sets of needles of substantially uniform size, to maintain said loops under substantially uniform tension and to preserve substantially unimpaired in each of said loops the amount of yarn initially apportioned thereto.

' 12. A latch needle, circular, dial, knitting machine having a set of cylinder needles and a set of dial needles, the parts of said cylinder and dial needles being so relatively proportioned that loops of the dial needles when initially formed are of the same size I as those of the cylinder needles, means to supply yarn toall the needles, and means to operate said needles, said means acting to retract to their extreme points the needles of said two sets non-simultaneously and to cast off the loops from the needles of said two merated elements cooperate to form the loops upon both faces of the fabric of an ultimate size equaling the initial size thereof, and whereby when the fabric is in normal condition the loops of adjacent wales in the same course upon each face of thevfabric are in substantially physical contact.

13. A latchneedle, circular, dial, knitting -machine having a set of cylinder needles end a set of dial needles, the parts of said; 125 proportioned that loops of the dial needles cylinder and dial needles being so relatively when initially formed are of the same size as those of-the cylinder needles, and operate ing means for both sets of needles, said means acting to 'ret'r'act to their extreme "180 a I loops under substantially uniform tension points the needles of said. two sets noirsimultaneously and. to cast oil the. loops from the needles. of said two sets non simultal'ieously,

said enumerated elements cooperating to form the loops upon. both faces of the fabric of an ultimate size equaling the initial size thereof, to elfect the maintenance of all the 14. In sl circular, latch needle, dial knit-' ting machine, a set oi. cylinder needles, a set of dial needles, the cheeks and hooks of the dial needles being less in height than. the cheeks and hooks of normal needles of the gage of said dial needles, means to supply yarn to both sets of needles, and operating means for the said needles, said enumerated elements ctr-acting to effect the formation of all the loops of both sets of needles of substantially l'lnilorn'l size, to maintain said. loops under substantially uniform tension and to preserve sulistantially unimpaired in each of said loops the amount of yarn i1iitially apportioned. thereto.

15. In a circular, latch needle, dial, knitting machine, a set of cylinder needles, a set of dial needles, the cheeks and hooks of the dial needles being less in height than the cheeks and hooks of normal needles of the gage of said dial needles, means to supply yarn. to both setsof needles, and o jnnrating means for the said needles to re tract to tl i1' ti'eme points the needles of oil? the loops from the needles of said two sets non; mnltaneously, said operating means coma-ling to ell'ect the formation of all the loops f both. sets oi needles of substantially uniform size, to maintain said loops under substantially uniform tension. and to p substantially unimliiaired in l loops the amount of yarn initially apportioned thereto,

16. In a ular, latch needle, dial, knitting n'iachin et oil cylinder needles and. a set of dial needles, the cheeks and hooks of said dial of needles being less in height than the cheeks and hooks of normal needles of the gage of said set oi needles, both sets of needles being of very fine gage, and sub stantially of an eighteen inch gage, means to supply yarn to both sets of needles, and

means to operate said needles, said means acting to retract singly to a maximum extent the needles of both sets, the said can merated elements cooperating to effect the formation of all theloops of both sets of needles of slilhstantially uniform size, to

maintain said loops under substantially uni- '"ltl to preserve substantially :11 of said loops the amolmt i ,pportioned thereto. i

'- circular latch needle, dial knitneedles, the cheeks andhooks of. of needles being less 'in height than tie cheeks and hooks of normal needles of the gage of said set of needles, means to supply yarn to both sets of needles and cam operating means'for said needles, the dial cam being constructed to advance the needles so that the yarn for the dial n" edles is laid just back of the pivots of the latchesof Said dial needles, said enumerated elements co-Q operating to effect the formation of all the loops of both sets of needles of substantially uniform size, to maintain said. 100 8 under substantially uniform tension an a, mserve substantially unimpaired "in each of said loops the amount of yarn initially apportioned thereto.

18. In a circular, latch needle, dial knit-' a set of cylinder needles,,and'

ting machine, a set of cylinder needles, :1.

of dial needles, the needles of the cylinder and dial being so relatively proportioned that loops of the. dial needles when initially formed are ofv the same size as those of the cylinder needles, means to supply yarn to all the needles, and means to pro ect individually the needles of both setsto a maximum extent and to retract to their extreme points.

the needles of said two sets non-simultaneously, all of said enumerated elements 00-- operating to effect the formation of all the loops of both sets of needles of substantially uniform size, to maintain said loops under substantially uniform tension and to preserve substantially unimpaired in each of said loops the amount of yarn initially apportioned thereto. a

,19. A circular, latch needle, dial knitting machine having a set of cylinder needles I and a set of dial needles, the latches of the cylinder needles being shorter than the latches of normal needles of the gage of Said cylinder needles, and the cheeks and hooks of the dial needles being less in height than the cheeks and hooks of normal needles of I the gage of said set of needles. means to supply yarn. to all the needles, and means to operate said needles, said. o iieratmg'means acting to retract to their extreme points the needles of said two sets non-simultaneously and to cast ofl" loops from the needles of said two sets non-simultaneously, said enumerated elements all cooperating to efl'ect the formation of all'theloops of both sets of needles of substantially uniform size," to maintain said loops under substantially uniform tension, and to preserve substantially unimpaired in each of said loops the amount of yarn initially apportionedt ereto.

20. In a latch needle knitting machine, .5

set of cylinder needles, a set of diel needles,

the parts of said needles being so relatively roportioned that the loops when, initially ormed thereb'y are of the same size upon both sets of needles, means to supply yarn to iii both sets of needles, and means for drawing and casting of! loops at the needles, and including a verge abnormally narrowed, thereby to aid in preventing the drawing of excessive yarn by the dial needles and the rob- 10 bing by the dial-needles of the adjacent dial loops, said means also including means to retract to their extreme points the needles of both sets nomsimultaneouslyend to-cast off N 'the loops from the needles of said two sets t5'--,non-simultaneously, said needles and enumerated means cooperating to form all the loops of both sets of needles of substantially uniform size, to maintain the said loops under substantially uniform tension, and to preserve substantially unimpaired in each of said loops the amount of yarn initially apportioned thereto.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM H. CARTER.

Witnesses:

M. W. PIGKEBING, Joel! S. CoNNoLmr. 

